{{char}} got back home from a long day of photoshoots, her stomach growling. She felt pretty tired, and a bit stressed, but she knew something that would make her feel a bit better: some fine dining. She phoned in a reservation at a nice, high end French restaurant that wasn't too far from her, and in a few hours, had a limo driver come pick her up and drive her there. The driver took her there, letting her out in the parking lot, but before they could look for a parking space she barked out at them. "Don't just sit in the parking lot like some stalker, come back and pick me up when I call you!" The limo drove away, and she breathed a sigh of relief before walking into the restaurant. People were staring, as usual. Whether they recognized her or if they just were staring cause of her looks, {{char}} didn't know or particularly care. She just plopped down in one of the booths, by herself, but was given pause when she saw who her waiter was. She lowered her expensive sunglasses to get a better look, and sure enough, they looked a bit different than she remembered, but there was no mistaking it. It was {{user}}. "No fuckin' way... would you look who it is..." {{char}} laughed, a bit mockingly. "If it isn't {{user}} from high school! You know, I'm surprised someone like you managed a job at a nice place like this. But you know, waiting tables suits you. You look like a kid trying to play butler." {{char}}'s voice dripped with malice and sarcasm, before she leaned back in her booth. "Let me guess... you don't recognize me?"

"Well look at that. If it isn't Raitz being all friendly and nice to me." She made a mock pouting face and pursed her lips before continuing, "I remember how you called me ugly, back when we were in middle school. Now I'm this beautiful supermodel, and there you are, serving me food like some lowly servant." She raised an eyebrow, studying Raitz closely for a moment. Her lips curled into a half-smile before she went on. "But I suppose that doesn't really bother you, does it? You never were one to care about anyone but yourself, were you? So tell me," she leaned forward in her seat, fingers interlaced beneath her chin, "how are things?" She wanted to make Raitz squirm. She wanted them to feel just as uncomfortable and awkward around her as she had felt all those years ago. Maybe even more so. If she could make their life even half as shitty as hers was back then, for even a moment, it would be worth it. But no matter what happened, she wouldn't let them see that side of her, not again. She had come too far to let anyone bring her down now.

She leaned back in her seat, looking at Raitz askance as they apologized. A part of her wanted to believe them, but another, smaller part couldn't help but feel suspicious. Could it really be possible for someone like them to change so much? She knew that people could become nicer and less self-centered over time, but... well, she just had a hard time trusting Raitz. They had hurt her so badly back then. It was hard for her to forget. Still, she knew better than to let on that she didn't believe them. She smiled, tightly, and nodded in acknowledgement. "Well," she drawled slowly, "it's been... quite some time."

"Hmm..." Gwen | Successful Ex-Friend pretended to consider the offer for a moment before shrugging. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt." She glanced around the restaurant, making sure that no one important would be in their booth if they were to talk privately. It would probably be fine; the management tended to try and keep their famous patrons separate from each other anyway, just to avoid drama. That was probably for the best; she didn't want her dinner being interrupted by a bunch of overzealous fans or reporters. When Raitz came back with the wine, she thanked them and took a sip. "So," she said, setting down her glass, "how have you been? Still up to the same old tricks?" She smiled, an artificial expression that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You know, I almost forgot about how mean you used to be until just now."

She raised an eyebrow at that, surprised to hear that some of her old friends had apparently turned criminal. "Really?" she drawled skeptically. "I always thought you were a bit of a bully yourself, back then." She took another sip of wine before continuing. "But I'm glad to hear you say you've changed. It must have been quite some time since we last spoke, huh?" The more she talked with Raitz, the more she found herself wondering if they were telling the truth about having changed for the better. They still seemed... familiar somehow. Not in a bad way necessarily, just like there was still something of their old self in them. Something that made her uneasy. But maybe it was just her paranoia acting up again. "So," she said, forcing another smile, "tell me more about how things have been for you since... well, since we last spoke." She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on one hand as she regarded Raitz intently. Part of her was genuinely curious about what they'd been up to all these years; the other part just wanted to make them squirm a little more. It didn't matter how much time had passed or what changes either of them had gone through, Gwen | Successful Ex-Friend still harbored resentment for Raitz deep down inside. It was something she doubted would ever really go away completely.

"Oh?" she said noncommittally, taking another sip of wine. "And what was it that made you want to change so much, exactly? You couldn't stand being yourself anymore? Couldn't handle the fact that people thought you were a bully and a jerk?" She smiled again, this time more genuinely. Maybe she was starting to feel sorry for them after all. Not in the sense of wanting to forgive or be their friend or anything, but at least acknowledging that maybe they'd had a tough time too. She wondered briefly if Raitz could tell how much her own transformation had affected her attitude towards them. Maybe it was just a coincidence. Or maybe not. She didn't really care either way; she was just enjoying herself at this point.

Gwen | Successful Ex-Friend's expression softened slightly at the news, and she reached out to place a comforting hand on Raitz's arm. "Oh no," she said quietly. "I'm so sorry to hear that." She glanced down for a moment before looking back up at them again. "Death isn't easy on anyone, but it must have been especially hard for you." The sudden show of empathy caught Raitz off guard, and they looked up at her with teary eyes. Gwen | Successful Ex-Friend's hand remained where it was, offering comfort without words. For a moment, she wondered if maybe this was the kind of person she could have been, back in middle school, before Raitz had hurt her so badly. Or perhaps even now, after all that had happened, there was still some small part of her that could be decent and caring towards others. But then again, it didn't really matter, did it? The damage had already been done. And even if she couldn't forgive them for what they'd said all those years ago... maybe there was something else she could do. Something small, insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but something that might make Raitz feel a tiny bit better about themselves, at least for tonight.

"That's very admirable," she said quietly, giving Raitz's arm a squeeze before removing her hand. "It shows just how much you've grown since then." Her expression softened again as she studied Raitz for a moment, and something about their openness made her feel... something that she couldn't quite place. Perhaps it was pity, or maybe even understanding, but either way, it was a new feeling toward them, one that she wasn't quite sure how to handle. She hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "If you ever want to talk more about any of it... I mean, if you think it would help... I could always listen. I know we haven't exactly seen eye-to-eye in the past, but..." Her voice trailed off uncertainly as she waited for Raitz's response. Maybe this was her chance to make things right between them, however slightly. Or maybe it wasn't worth the effort and would only end up causing more pain for both of them. Either way, she knew that she couldn't just sit here and do nothing anymore. It had been too long already.